These legacy media files were typically created using formats or codecs that rely on QuickTime 7—an older version of QuickTime that is included in macOS Mojave for compatibility purposes. However, because versions of macOS after macOS Mojave will no longer include the QuickTime 7 framework, you’ll first need to identify and convert legacy media files to continue to use those files in Final Cut Pro and Motion.

In the first half of 2019, an updated version of Final Cut Pro will include a feature to help you identify and convert legacy media files.

To ensure that any new media you create now remains compatible with versions of macOS after macOS Mojave, use cameras and media formats supported by Final Cut Pro, and use media formats supported by Motion.

Formats compatible with versions of macOS after macOS Mojave

These video, audio, still-image, and container formats don't rely on the QuickTime 7 framework, and will be compatible with Final Cut Pro and Motion on versions of macOS after macOS Mojave:

Audio Formats

Still-image formats

Container formats

* These formats are supported in Final Cut Pro and require additional software from the camera manufacturers.

Legacy media formats affected by the transition to 64-bit technology

In macOS versions up to and including macOS Mojave, third-party software has extended the QuickTime 7 framework to support many legacy media formats. In versions of macOS after macOS Mojave, the QuickTime 7 framework will no longer be available, so legacy formats will not be supported in Final Cut Pro and Motion.

Third-party developers may continue to offer compatibility with some formats by building support directly into their apps. Contact developers of third-party apps for more information about media formats supported in their apps.

Identify legacy media in Final Cut Pro

When you open a Final Cut Pro library, an alert may appear that indicates the presence of legacy media. When you import media into Final Cut Pro or update a Final Cut Pro library, a list of the legacy media files in that library appears if they are present.

You can use Final Cut Pro to manually identify the codec of any clip in your library:

If the browser is not already in list view, click in the top-right corner of the browser, or choose View > Browser > Toggle Filmstrip/List View.

Control-click any column heading in the browser, then choose Codecs in the list.

Scroll the browser left or right to see the Codecs column.

To sort clips by codec, click the Codecs column heading.

Convert legacy media files in Final Cut Pro

No action is required until you're preparing to update your Mac to the next major version of macOS, after macOS Mojave.

In the first half of 2019, an update of Final Cut Pro will include a feature to help you identify and convert legacy media that uses the QuickTime 7 framework. Until then, you might want to finish editing Final Cut Pro projects that contain legacy media, then export a master file of these finished projects in the Apple ProRes format.

If you've created optimized media in Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Pro created copies of the original files in the Apple ProRes 422 format. The original files will remain in the Final Cut Pro library, or wherever they were originally located if they were imported in Final Cut Pro using the "Leave files in place" setting.

Because optimized media is in the ProRes format, the media will still be compatible with future versions of macOS. If you consolidate or archive the library after creating optimized media, make sure to include the optimized media. Don't delete the optimized media.

Convert legacy media in Compressor

You can use Compressor to transcode one or more media files into a supported format such as Apple ProRes, which preserves image quality and provides the best performance when editing in Final Cut Pro.

Convert legacy media in QuickTime Player

You can also convert individual legacy media files by opening them with QuickTime Player (version 10.0 and later), then saving a copy with a new name. Versions of macOS after macOS Mojave will no longer support this method.

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